Frankfurt

THE European Central Bank is readying itself to again underpin the euro area's cohesion if needed, according to Governing Council member Yannis Stournaras.

As policy makers prepare to debate the future of their asset-purchase programme on Dec 8, they're faced with an outlook that is increasingly foggy. While euro-area inflation is rising and the recovery continuing, officials are also aware that a series of national votes in the next 12 months could change the political landscape and shock the economy.